Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-13

street. / entered q, quiet but inviting res
taurant, and dined frugally. Then, with
the aid Of a cigar, reviewed the situation.
The revelation Of the plot by Mdme. Del
br,uyck ceased TO be 60 very surprising
outlines of.the scheme had probably been
arranged by Plowitz and Miss Beaufoy to
$gether. His arrest was evidently not Known
to the Basilisk at the time Of her visit to her
evil ally, and that lady had, equally eviS
visit Of Plowitz, whom she did not know,
assumed that the stranger who was loiter-
ing about the street, and calling her
name, was none other than the foreign
gentleman to whom Miss Beaufoy had Civ
en- q rendezvous at Mdme. Delbruyck's
house. Now for the future. The simplest
plan promised to be the best. I would re-
turn, summon the old woman, inform her
that the plan Of operations was changed,
gain access to Mary, and carry her Off to
the shelter of the Hotel st. Antonine, before
the time fixed for the Basilisk's return. It
half IN hour. SO as to allow a plausible
time for the change Of plans to have elapsed
and maintaining the role OF Plowitz, have
Mary in safety by the time the next hour
was struck by the innumerable clocks OF
the city.
The time for action soon arrived.
I set out, and the chimes were sounding
the half-hour, I again entered the street
where Mary was kept a prisoner. AS l ap-
preached the door it flashed upon me that
of the arrest of Plowitz, and coming to ar
range some modification Of her scheme,
been informed Of my visit. 1t struck q
chill to my heart to think what she might
be capable of in her rage and ~disappoint-
ment. But, in any case, there was no time
to lose. l went into the dark courtyard,
amounted the brick steps, and knocked at
the door. The voices which were talking
inside ceased; I heard the chatter of sabOts
over the brick floor, and Mdme. Delbruyck's
hideous visage appeared. She started on
"Here, Marie" I said, II want to speak
SCertainly, certainly, monsieur;" and
she came quickly out, closed the door
Listen" said l.. "something has hap
pened which makes u plan Impossible:
The young lady must come away at once"
The old woman looked surprised.
"But howe" she asked.
II can get her away, never fear" I ans
wered. lit is not safe for any of us if she
| stays"
Mdme. Delbruyck was impressed by my
She evidently saw that something serious
had occurred.
(which room is she in"
'In the top front room. I will show
monsieur"
"Where is the keys"
sIt is in the door. Come monsieur"
Mdme. Delbruck's activity was not on 3
par with her zeal in my service, and still
less on a par with my anxiety.
."Never mind. I can find the ROOM"
"You cannot miss 1t" she said. painting,
and glad to escape any more climbing. ut
is at the very top-the door facing you"
''Thank you. Wait at the foot Of the
stairs"
took the light which she brought out,
and hurried up stairs. They were steep,
and took short turns. round massive oaken
posts, which threw grim shadows as I car.
on the chief landings, through which the
wind came freely, SO that I had to take
some care to shelter the fame, for I did not
fancy ascending with so important an OBJ
ject,. with tho chance of being disabled by
. fall: Ghostly and cobwebby was the
ascent, and dismal and dilapidated the tor
landing, where 7 stood at last outside the
room which held my treasure.
The key wa in the lock.
knocked gently, and then turned the
With a quickly beating heart I opened
the door. s.
"Maryl"
She stood Al pale as death, with on<
hand resting OF the back Of the chair from
which she had risen, the other raised ir
wonder or fear.
Thought she wa about to faint.
"Mary, I have come to take you away
from hereto friends, to safety"
The colour rushed back to her face, and
she gave q cry, a sudden sob and sprant
questioning love could not have been NOR,
sweetly or more strikingly shown. Sur
prise, fear, Joy, every other emotion wa.
postponed, and tr~ust-implicit~ Frustrating
the cue of immediate action from my looks
was all that she showed.
For n moment she rested on my arms
my darling, come quickly" I said.
took up a wrap which lay on the bed
and folded it round her. She put her littl,
hand in mine; I left my lamp On the table
and we began to descend the stairs. !
Quietly and slowly we made our way. /.
When we reached the bottom Of the sec
ond fight she stopped me, and I could SCI
one white hand held up in the attitude o
listening.
"Hark2"
heard from below the sound Of voices
in excited talk-the voice Of Mdme. Del
I pressed her hand, and we proceeded
another stage. Had all been discovered
I was not long in doubt.
"Come,' said the Basilisk, in her hardest
tones: IT he ever gets out alive it is al
Then there was a hoarse laugh, and
Georges said:
"Be easy, mademoiselle: they will not get
away alive" And steps came up the stairs
l swung my ife-preserver, to get it nicely
balanced. a %'a r. -
Mary stood by me and held my left hand
I looked in her face. 1t was q face of fear
but the glorious trust was still beaminl
from those beautiful eyes. We stood op
posite an open window, through which thu
fresh strong wind was blowing freely. tt
breath spoke of life-of liberty. It should
not be we who would not leave the place
alive. The steps came neaUer-a light elias
tic tread, and the rustic of woman's robe
followed by the laboured steps Of a heavy
man. They were bringing q light. It be
gan to flicker and waver about, and throw
herald beams of danger close to where W.
:Sstep lightly said the Basilisk.
.They won't hear,n said the man; "they
will be love-making."
We shrank we'll back behind the project
ing oaken post. I resolved to fell Georges
without mercy the moment he saw us, and
the Basilisk would, I Judged, be for the time
powerless. I could feel Mary trembling In
every limb. The steps of u enemies were
close to US.
'sThree more fights said the man. Az
he spoke the pair were for q moment wish
BILE. The Basilisk, with white set face, held
in one hand alamD. in the other q revolver.